Cloche Quarters

I’ve always loved the romantic look of glass cloches in historical European herb gardens. From the French word meaning bell, cloche (pronounced klōSH) are a practical and beautiful way to extend an already too short growing season.

Placed over emerging seedlings and tender plants, like my cilantro and sweet marjoram, they warm up the soil and keep Jack Frost at bay.

Because they act like mini greenhouses, on warm, sunny days, I’m careful to prop up an edge to vent out the heat, or remove them entirely to prevent the delicate plants from cooking in the sun. Once the area is in a bit more shade, or before nightfall, I cover them back up to keep them warm and happy overnight.